Interview with Robbie Downey

Ballerinas are classically thought of as graceful, possessing long, lean bodies, toned legs and sleek arms. After the debut of Natalie Portman’s ballet body in the movie Swan Lake, ballet bootcamp workouts became extremely popular as many women wanted to emulate her strong yet elegant physique. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to interview ballerina Robbie Downey. She has been dancing for approximately 10 years, and gives us an inside peek into the physical and mental demands of the world of ballet, as well as the workout and the nutrition. At only 14 years old, her motivation and dedication to ballet are inspirational!

Head to Toe: You’ve been dancing ballet since you were 4 years old, do you remember what you liked best about ballet in the beginning? Robbie: Being on stage. Head to Toe: How many times a week do you take class? Robbie: Typically six. On some days, I have more than one class if I have a private lesson or take an open class in the morning. Sometimes, we have conditioning or pilates classes as well. I take one class on Sunday if we have rehearsal. During the summer, I spend six weeks at the Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive Program. I have several classes a day, up to 6 hours or more. I then spend a week with my teacher at home, Maxim Tchernychev.

Head to Toe: What is a typical day like for you? Robbie: Wake up and eat of course! I will do some homework and do some chores around the house and then get ready for class. If there is a morning class or a private lesson that day sometimes I have to spend the entire day (about 12 hours) at the studio. I can do my homework there, stretch and get food so it's not too bad. Head to Toe: What are the auditions like? Robbie: Auditions can make me nervous, depending on what they are for. I don't usually get too nervous for Nutcracker auditions since I have been doing them since I was 4. I was really nervous the year that I was the right height and age for Clara. I was new to the studio and was not sure if I would even be considered. I wanted it so badly and I could not look at the list when it was posted online. It was torture. Other auditions where there are just a few judges at a table and you don't know them can also be a little scary! I like when they give feedback because the information is helpful for my progression. Head to Toe: The physical strain and demanding schedule must take its toll. What would you say is the hardest part about being a dancer? Robbie: Just the fact that it is hard, both mentally and physically. It is so much harder than people think. You have to have a mindset to do it or you will never get through. You can't be a quitter. You have to be determined and focused and know your own body. It is hard from so many directions. If you don't like hard work and can't work through the bad days you might not make it. You have to keep a level head and take care of your body. Head to Toe: What is the best part? Robbie: Being able to perform and show the results of all your hard work and determination. Head to Toe: How do you relax? Robbie: I watch shows like Teen Wolf and the Vampire Diaries. I go on instagram and vine, and of course I text with my friends. Some are at my studio and some are all over the place. I meet them during the summer when I go away to my intensive. Head to Toe: Discipline seems to be an extremely important component of being a dancer. What is your mindset like? How do you stay disciplined? Robbie: My mindset during class is I just focus on my corrections and what I am doing. After a while that correction just stays with me and things start to become more natural. I focus on myself not other people and I don't compare myself to other people because everyone progresses at a different rate. I don't think dancers really think about being disciplined, it is just something that we do. It goes together with the training. There are some people that have to work harder than others. I am one of those people and my teachers have even said it. But also they have said that sometimes people like me are the ones that last because we have to develop that extra determination and drive. For people that have it come easy as soon as it gets tough they sometimes are the ones to drop off. Directors want people that can work hard and won't stop until they get it. Head to Toe: What role does body image play in dancing? Robbie: A huge role. Most everyone is focused on how they look and there are mirrors everywhere. And there is a certain body type that plays a big part in the selection process. Head to Toe: Many people hold onto stereotypes that the ballet world in particular is filled with eating disorders and struggles to remain super thin. Have you found that to be the case? Robbie: I have heard about people with disorders. There is a range though. There are some people that just really go over board watching what they eat and they just don't look healthy or strong. It doesn't make sense because you have to be strong and healthy to dance. Some people have trouble keeping the weight on because we burn so many calories and I think that is a different problem all together. You have to be aware of what you eat, the calorie demands and how it affects you. Head to Toe: Have you ever heard negative comments about your body type or size? Robbie: Yep. I have been told that I don't have crazy legs or feet. That means I don't have "banana" feet or hyperextended legs or super longs legs or crazy flexibility. I have also been told in comments online (youtube) that I am too skinny. But that is common. Ballet dancers are often told this, especially by people that are not in the ballet "world.” I eat a lot but I burn a lot but I also have a lot of muscle just very low body fat. Head to Toe: What is your favorite dance snack? How do you keep up your energy? Robbie: I just started eating Quest bars and they are so good. For snacks I carry around pistachios, yogurt, apple slices and bananas. Head to Toe: Do you follow a particular diet? Robbie: No, I just eat when I am hungry and somedays that is all day it feels like =) If I want dessert I always have it. We buy almost everything organic and I do not eat meat. I never have. We rarely eat fast food. Sometimes maybe a burrito or something like that or pizza. We mostly drink water. We use almond milk for milk. My mom is not a fan of sugar but she is not strict with me about it because mostly we all eat really healthy. I think a lot of it is my body type. So far I do not have to be overly worried about what I eat. But if you eat real food and healthy food it kind of solves that problem for you. Plus, again. we burn a ton of calories. But you still have to put good food in not just any kind of calories. Head to Toe: What do you think is the most difficult thing about ballet? Robbie: Aside from it just being hard/challenging maybe that it is a slow process. It takes years to progress and even pros are still working on their plié!!! You have to be patient along with determined and focused. You can't just be great over night or even in a year or two. Head to Toe: What is your favorite barre exercise? Robbie: Plié Head to Toe: Many people envy the graceful physique of a ballerina. What exercises / movements in particular do you think contribute to sleek arms? Robbie:We use our arms constantly in class. We are always holding them up and using them. We also are using our back muscles in this process so everything gets worked. Head to Toe: Strong core? Robbie: I think that engaging your core is what makes it strong, and we engage our core before every movement. It is part of good form. When your core is pulled in and tightened, it helps the dancer look lean. Head to Toe: Toned, shapely legs? Robbie: Almost every movement we do contributes to firming legs, especially when you hold the position. The best are probably fondu on relevé. Also, tendu when done correctly works your inner thigh. Doing the movements correctly is important, because each movement contributes to the form and also the appearance of the step. There is a purpose for everything. Conditioning and Pilates also help with all of the above.